Apron



A. QUINN Nov. 15, 1938.

APRON Filed Dec. 16, 1937 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to aprons for personal wear, and more particularly to aprons of the sleeveless type embodying a combined bib and skirt body portion and tie members or strings attached thereto for securing the apron in proper position upon the body of the wearer, but wherein there are no shoulder straps, neck strap or yoke, or other like means for holding up the bib.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an apron of this general character which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, economical in the amount of material used, efiective in use in that it adequately protects the clothing of the wearer, and neat and attractive in appearance.

Another object is to provide an apron of novel construction which may be worn by and properly fitted to persons of different heights and sizes, thus enabling the manufacture of a single standard size of apron in lieu of the three sizes normally required and the attainment of the economies resulting therefrom.

A further and more specific object is to provide an apron of the type described with novel means for connecting the tie members to the body of the apron, which means are so designed as to insure that the bib and skirt of the'apron will maintain their proper positions upon the body of the wearer without the use of supporting shoulder straps, neck yoke, back panel or any other of the constructions heretofore required for this purpose.

These and other objects of the invention will appear more fully upon a consideration of the detailed description of the invention which follows. Although two specific forms of apron have been described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, it is to be expressly understood that this drawing is for the purpose of illustration only and is not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this latter purpose.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a front view of one form of apron embodying the invention, the apron being spread out flat so as to show all of its component parts in the same plane; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a second apron embodying the invention.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the apron shown therein comprises a bib section 3 and a skirt section 4 which are united at the waist line 5 to form the body portion of the apron adapted to cover parts of the front and sides of the wearer. If desired, the circumference of the body portion thus formed may be provided with a rufile B of lace or other suitable material. As is apparent from the drawing, the bib section 3, which has 5 relatively straight side edges and a shaped or curved top edge, is of relatively small vertical extent and is not intended to cover the entire bosom of the wearer; in fact, as will be later pointed out, when the apron is being worn the upper corners of the bib section 3 occupy positions at or below the level of the wearers arm pits.

In order that the bib section 3 may be maintained in proper position on the bosom of the wearer without the use of shoulder straps, a neck yoke or the like, the tie members or strings I are attached to the body portion of the apron by means of a novel arrangement of strap-like members which are so constructed as to convert the tension of the tie members into such stresses in the bib and skirt sections of the apron as will not only hold the bib up in its desired position but will also draw and hold the skirt about the hips of the wearer neatly and without flopping forward.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 this result is accomplished by attaching to each side edge of the apron at points between the top edge of the bib section 3 and a point somewhat below the waist line 5 the inner ends of three straplike members 8, 9 and I!) which may be made either of the same material as the rest of the apron, such as cotton, or of a suitable elastic material. The outer ends of all three of these straps are attached to the inner edge of an irregularly shaped connecting piece or panel H to the outer edge of which one of the tie strings I is secured, each of said strings 1 being of sufficient length to permit adjustment and securing of the apron to persons of difierent sizes. The upper strap 8 is attached to the side edge of the bib section 3 at or just below the shaped top edge thereof and extends outwardly therefrom to the connecting panel I I in a direction which is approximately horizontal or slightly downward. The middle strap 9 is attached to the side edge of the apron at about the waist line 5; as shown, the inner end of this strap is flared and extends both above 50 and below the waist line, the extent below being greater than that above. The lower strap I0 is attached to the side edge of the skirt section 4 entirely below the waist line. Both of straps 9 and I0 extend outwardly from the body portion .bib to the bosom of the wearer.

of the apron to the connecting panel ll along upwardly inclined lines.

The lengths of the three straps 8, 9 and ID on each side of the apron, their shapes, and their points of attachment to the apron body and connecting panel II are so selected that the tensional stresses exerted thereby when the tie strings I are drawn taut are sufficient to hold both the bib section 3 and the skirt section 4 in their proper positions upon the body of the wearer. However, if desired, the bib section 3 may be reinforced or stiffened in a substantially vertical direction by a series of cords, tucks, whalebone or other supporting elements sewninto the bib as indicated at 12.

When the apron is properly adjusted on the wearers person, all of the straps 8, 9 and I pass beneath the arms of the wearer, and the tie strings I are brought together and tied at the center of the wearers back. With the apron in this position, it is apparent that the bib section 3 will not entirely cover the bosom of the wearer but will extend upwardly only about to the level of the armpits. If more complete coverage of the bosom is desired, the apron of Fig. 2 may be used.

In this second embodiment of the invention there are provided both a taller bib section and a modified construction for connecting the tie strings to the apron body. As shown, the bib section I3 is approximately twice as deep as that of Fig. l, is curved along the side edges, and is split downwardly from the top center in a V,.

a suitable lacing M being provided to adjust the As in the case of the apron of Fig. l, reinforcing members 12 may be sewn into the bib section 13 if additional support is desired.

Instead of the arrangement of straps shown in Fig. 1 for connecting the tie strings 1 and connecting panels II to the side edges of the apron, this modified form of the-invention employs a pair of outwardly tapering, shaped side sections IS. The inner edge of each of saidside sections I is cut to conform to the side edge of the apron body and is attached thereto continuously from the top edge of the bib section 13 to a point below the waist line 5, the top and bottom edges of the section sloping or curving downwardly and upwardly, respectively, toward the connecting panel II to which the outer edge of the section is attached. As in the case of straps 8, 9 and H), the side sections l5 may be made.

either of the same material as the rest of the apron or of a suitable elastic material, and, when passed under the arms of the wearer and drawn taut by the tie strings I, will set up tensional stresses in both the biband skirt sections of the apron thatwill hold the same in proper position upon the body of the wearer.

There is thus provided by the present invention a backless apron of new and improved construction which is comparatively cheap to manufacture as to both material and labor costs, and is yet so designed as to fit the wearer better and more attractively than similar aprons hitherto known, regardless of the size of the wearer. Moreover, this apron is so constructed that the bib and skirt portions thereof may be maintained in proper position upon the wearers person without the use of shoulder straps, a neck yoke, a back panel or other similar expedients found in the prior art. Due to the novel construction and arrangement of its parts, the apron may be conveniently'washed and ironed fiat, thus embodiments.

facilitating folding and storage of the laundered garment. These and other features which will be apparent from the foregoing description render the apron of the present invention especially well adapted for use by waitresses, housewives and maids who require a garment of both simple construction and neat and attractive appearance.

Although two different forms of the invention have been described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, it will be obvious that the invention is not limited to the exact structures shown but is capable of a variety of mechanical For exampe, in the apron shown in Fig. 1, the upper and lower flared straps 8 and I0 may be replaced by ordinary straps or strings having parallel sides without detracting from the efficiency of the structure. It will also be recognized that the aprons may be made up in various shapes, colors and styles, from various materials and goods, and with or without ornamental features and finish which it is unnecessary to show in the drawing. Various other changes, which will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, may be made in the form, details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 29,651, filed July 3, 1935.

What is claimed is:

1. An apron consisting of a body portion comprising bib and skirt sections, a pair of tie members adapted to be secured together at the back of the wearer of the apron, and elements attached at their inner edges to the side edges of the body portion of the apron at points both above and below the Waist line and operatively connected at their outer edges to said tie members, said elements being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and being so constructed and arranged as to hold the body portion of the apron in-proper position upon the body of the and operatively connected at their outer edges to said tie members, said strap-like members being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and being so constructed and arranged as to hold the body portion of the apron in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yokes or straps when said tie members are secured together.

3. The combination in an apron of a body por tion comprising bib and skirt sections, a plurality of strap-like members attached to each side edge of said body portion, one end of the uppermost member on each side being attached to the bib section of the apron at the top thereof, one end of the lowermost member on each side being attached 'to the skirt sectionof'the apron below the waist line and the central member on each side having one end thereof attached tothe body portion of the apron at about the waist line, and a pair of tiemembers adapted to be secured together at the back of the wearer of the apron,

the other ends of the strap-like members on each side of the apron converging together and being operatively connected to one of said tie members, all of said strap-like members being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and, when drawn taut by said tie members, to set up in the body portion of the apron stresses such as to hold said body portion in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yokes or straps.

4. The combination in an apron of a body portion comprising bib and skirt sections, a plurality of strap-like members attached to each side edge of said body portion, one end of the uppermost member on each side being attached to the bib section of the apron at the top thereof, one end of the lowermost member on each side being attached tothe skirt section of the apron below the waist line and the central member on each side having one end thereof attached to the body portion of the apron at about the waist line, a pair of connecting panels toward which the other ends of said strap-like members converge and to which said ends are attached, and tie strings attached to said connecting panels, all of said strap-like members being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and, when drawn taut by said tie strings, to set up in the body portion of the apron stresses such as tohold said body portion in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yoke or straps.

5. An apron consisting of a body portion comprising bib and skirt sections, a plurality of straplike members attached at their inner ends to each side edge of said front section at spaced points therealong' between the top edge thereof and a point below the waist line, a. pair of separately formed connecting panels to which the outer ends of the two groups of strap-like members are attached, and a pair of tie members attached to said connecting panels and adapted to be secured together at the back of the wearer of the apron, all of said strap-like members being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and being so constructed and arranged as to hold said body portion in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yokes or straps when said tie members are secured together.

6. An apron consisting of a body portion comprising bib and skirt sections, three strap-like members attached at their inner ends to each side edge of said body portion at spaced points therealong, the upper, middle and lower straplike members on each side being attached to said body portion at the top edge thereof, at the waist line and at a point below the waist line, respectively, a pair of separately formed connecting panels to which the outer ends of said strap-like members are attached and toward which said members converge, and a pair of tie members attached to said connecting panels and adapted to be secured together at the back of the wearer of the apron, all of said strap-like members being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and being so constructed and arranged to hold said body portion in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yokes or straps when said tie members are secured together.

7. An apron consisting of a body portion comprising bib and skirt sections, a single shaped section attached at its inner edge to each side edge ofsaid body portion and extending between the top edge thereof and a point below the waist line, and a pair of tie members operatively connected to the outer edges of said shaped sections and adapted to be secured together at the back of the wearer of the apron, said shaped sections being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and being so constructed and arranged as to hold said body portion in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yokes or straps when said tie members are secured together.

8. An apron consisting of a body portion comprising bib and skirt sections, a single shaped section attached at its inner edge to each side edge of said body portion and extending between the top edge thereof and a point below the waist line, a pair of tie members operatively connected to the outer edges of said shaped sections and adapted to be secured together at the back of the wearer of the apron, said shaped sections being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and being so constructed and arranged as to hold said body portion in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yokes or straps when said tie members are secured together, and a lacing in the bib section of said body portion for adjusting the same to the bosom of the wearer.

9. An apron consisting of a body portion comprising bib and skirt sections, a single shaped section attached at its inner edge to each side edge of said body portion and extending between the top edge thereof and a point below the waist line, the upper and lower edges of each of said sections converging toward the outer edge thereof, a pair of connecting panels to which the outer edges of said shaped sections are attached, and a pair of tie members attached to said con necting panels and adapted to be secured together at the back of the wearer of the apron, said shaped sections being adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer and being so constructed and arranged as to hold said body portion in proper position upon the body of the wearer without the use of neck or shoulder yokes or straps when said tie members are secured together.

ADA QUINN. 

